Jesus: What does His name mean?

What does the name “Jesus” actually mean?  We sometimes forget in our culture that names were once words with definitions.  To us they are not words to be defined; they are just names. In biblical times names were given to mark the circumstances surrounding a child’s birth or to say something about the child’s destiny.  The definition of the word was very important. So when the angel instructed Joseph and Mary to name the baby “Jesus,” it was no small thing.  It was full of meaning. (See Luke 1:31 and Matthew 1:21)

Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua.  Most simply put, when translated it means “God saves.”  In fact, in Matthew 1:21 when Joseph is told Mary’s baby is to be named Jesus, he is also told why, “because he will save his people from their sins.”  So from the very beginning Joseph and Mary knew their son Jesus would save people from their sin even though they surely did not know all that saving people from their sin entailed.

Knowing what the word “Jesus” means frames the story for us.  If we knew nothing else about Jesus other than the meaning of his name, we would know that the story of Jesus is the story of a savior.  Those of us who already know the story know it is not just about a savior but about The Savior.  That’s a great place to start when telling or thinking about the story of Jesus.

While researching this to see if any new discoveries could be made about the meaning of His name, I ran across this list of names/titles used in the Bible to describe Jesus.  A good spiritual exercise for all us would be to work our way through this list, meditating on what each title tells us about who He is.  I find that when I force myself to write things down, either in a journal or a blog, it forces me to sharpen my thoughts about something, so you might want to try both.

The following list is taken from the The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names. (See footnote below.)

DESCRIPTIVE TITLES FOR JESUS:

They are listed alphabetically in this dictionary.
The ramifications of the name of Jesus are so great that the Bible is filled with descriptive titles for Jesus. Nearly three hundred of these are listed below with a few having the number of times the word is mentioned in the Scriptures in parentheses.

Advocate
1 John 2:1
Almighty (57)
Revelation 1:8
Alpha and Omega
Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:13
Altogether Lovely
Song of Solomon 5:16
Amen
Revelation 3:14
Ancient of Days
Daniel 7:22
Angel of His Presence
Isaiah 63:9
Anointed
Psalm 2:2
Apostle
Hebrews 3:1
Apple Tree
Song of Solomon 2:3
Approved of God
Acts 2:22
Author of Our Faith
Hebrews 12:2
Author of Salvation
Hebrews 5:9
Babe
Luke 2:16
Beginning of Creation of God
Revelation 3:14
Beginning and Ending
Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:13
Bishop of Souls
1 Peter 2:25
Branch
Zechariah 6:12; Isaiah 11:1
Branch of Righteousness
Jeremiah 33:15
Bread of Life
John 6:35
Bridegroom
Matthew 9:15; John 3:29
Bright and Morning Star
Revelation 22:16
Brightness of His Glory
Hebrews 1:3
Buckler
Psalm 18:2
Builder
Matthew 16:18
Bundle of Myrrh
Song of Solomon 1:13
Captain of Our Salvation
Hebrews 2:10
Captain of the Lord’s Host
Joshua 5:15
Carpenter, Son of Mary
Mark 6:3
Carpenter’s Son
Matthew 13:55
Chief Shepherd
1 Peter 5:4
Chief Cornerstone
1 Peter 2:6; Ephesians 2:20
Chief Shepherd
1 Peter 5:4
Chiefest Among Ten Thousand
Song of Solomon 5:10
Child
Luke 2:40
Chosen of God
Luke 23:35
Christ Jesus My Lord
Philippians 3:8
Christ of God
Luke 9:20
Christ the Lord
Luke 2:11
Christ; Son of the Living God
Matthew 16:16
Cluster of Camphire
Song of Solomon 1:14
Consolation of Israel
Luke 2:25
Counselor
Isaiah 9:6
Covenant of the People
Isaiah 42:6
Covert from Tempest
Isaiah 32:2
Creator of Israel
Isaiah 43:15
Day Star
2 Peter 1:19
Daysman
Job 9:33
Dayspring
Luke 1:78
Deliverer
Psalm 18:2; Romans 11:26
Desire of all Nations
Haggai 2:7
Dew
Hosea 14:5
Door
John 10:7, 9
Emmanuel
Matthew 1:23
End of the Law
Romans 10:4
Ensign of the People
Isaiah 11:10
Everlasting Father
Isaiah 9:6
Express Image of His Person
Hebrews 1:3
Faithful and True Witness
Revelation 3:14
Faithful and True
Revelation 19:11
Faithful Witness
Revelation 1:5
Finisher of Our Faith
Hebrews 12:2
First Begotten of the Dead
Revelation 1:5
First and the Last
Revelation 22:13
Firstborn of Every Creature
Colossians 1:15
Firstborn
Romans 8:29
Firstborn From the Dead
Colossians 1:18
Firstfruits
1 Corinthians 15:20
Forerunner
Hebrews 6:20
Fortress
Psalm 18:2
Foundation
Isaiah 28:16; 1 Corinthians 3:11
Fountain Opened (for sin)
Zechariah 13:1
Fountain of Living Waters
Jeremiah 2:13
Friend of Publicans and Sinners
Luke 7:34
Fruit of the Womb
Luke 1:42
Galilaean (KJV)
Luke 23:6
Glory of Thy People Israel
Luke 2:32
God of the Whole Earth
Isaiah 54:5
Good Shepherd
John 10:11
Good Master
Matthew 19:16, 17; Mark 10:17
Governor of Nations
Psalm 22:28
Governor
Matthew 2:6
Great
Jeremiah 32:18
Greater Than Solomon
Matthew 12:42
Guide
Psalm 48:14
Head of the Body; the Church
Colossians 1:18
Head of the Church
Ephesians 5:23
Head of the Corner
1 Peter 2:7; Matthew 21:42
Head of All Principality and Power
Colossians 2:10
Head of Every Man
1 Corinthians 11:3
Healer
Matthew 14:14
Heir of All Things
Hebrews 1:2
Helper
Hebrews 13:6
Hiding Place
Isaiah 32:2
High Priest
Hebrews 3:1; 6:20; 7:26
High Priest Over the House of God
Hebrews 10:21
High Tower
Psalm 18:2
Higher Than the Heavens
Hebrews 7:26
Holy Child Jesus
Acts 4:27
Holy One
Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 43:15
Holy One of Israel (31)
Isaiah 41:14; 54:5
Holy One of God
Luke 4:34; Mark 1:24
Horn of My Salvation
Psalm 18:2
Horn of Salvation
Luke 1:69
Hope, My
Psalm 71:5
I AM
John 8:58
Image of Invisible God
Colossians 1:15
Immanuel
Isaiah 7:14
Immortal
1 Timothy 1:17
Intercessor
Hebrews 7:25
Invisible
1 Timothy 1:17
Jesus (977)
Matthew 1:21
Jesus is the Lord
1 Corinthians 12:3
Jesus Christ Our Savior
Titus 3:6
Jesus of Nazareth (17)
Luke 4:34
Jew
John 4:9
Judge of the Quick and the Dead
Acts 10:42
Judge of Israel
Micah 5:1
Just One
Acts 3:14
Just Man
Matthew 27:19
Justifier
Romans 3:26
King
Matthew 21:5
King of Glory
Psalm 24:8
King of the Jews (18)
John 18:39; 19:3
King of Israel
John 1:49
King of Saints
Revelation 15:3
King of kings (6)
1 Timothy 3:15; Revelation 17:14
King Eternal
1 Timothy 1:17
Lamb
Revelation 5:6; 15:3; 17:14
Lamb Slain
Revelation 13:8
Lamb Without Blemish and Spot
1 Peter 1:19
Lamb of God
John 1:29
Last Adam
1 Corinthians 15:45
Lawgiver
James 4:12
Leader and Commander of the People
Isaiah 55:4
Life
John 11:25
Lifter of My Head
Psalm 3:3
Light of Men
John 1:4
Light to Lighten the Gentiles
Luke 2:32
Light for the Gentiles
Isaiah 42:6; Acts 13:47
Light of the World
John 8:12
Lily of the Valley
Song of Solomon 2:1
Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Revelation 5:5
Living Bread
John 6:51
Living Stone
1 Peter 2:4
Lord (1131); LORD (6471)
Luke 24:3; Acts 2:36
Lord and Christ
Acts 2:36
Lord Both of the Dead and Living
Romans 14:9
Lord From Heaven
1 Corinthians 15:47
Lord God Almighty
Revelation 15:3
Lord of the Harvest
Matthew 9:38
Lord of the Sabbath
Luke 6:5
Lord of Hosts
Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 32:18
Lord of Lords
1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16
Lord Our Righteousness
Jeremiah 23:6
Love
1 John 4:16
Lowly
Zechariah 9:9
Man of Sorrows
Isaiah 53:3
Manna
John 6:57–58
Master (57)
Matthew 22:24; John 11:28
Master in Heaven
Colossians 4:1
Mediator
1 Timothy 2:5
Merciful, Faithful High Priest
Hebrews 2:17
Messenger
Malachi 3:1
Messiah
Daniel 9:25, 26
Messias (the Christ)
John 1:41
Mighty God
Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 32:18
Mine Elect
Isaiah 42:1
Minister of the Circumcision
Romans 15:8
Minister of Sanctuary
Hebrews 8:2
My Beloved
Song of Solomon 2:8; Matthew 12:18
My Beloved Son
Matthew 17:5
My Strong Habitation
Psalm 71:3
Nail
Isaiah 22:23, 25
Name Above Every Name
Philippians 2:9
Nazarene
Matthew 2:23
New and Living Way
Hebrews 10:20
Offering; a Sacrifice to God
Ephesians 5:2
One Shepherd
John 10:16
One That Bringeth Good Tidings
Isaiah 41:27
Only Begotten of Father
John 1:14
Only Wise God
1 Timothy 1:17
Our Lord Jesus Christ (55)
Galatians 1:3
Our Peace
Ephesians 2:14
Overcomer
Revelation 17:14
Passover
1 Corinthians 5:7
Potentate
1 Timothy 6:15
Potter
Romans 9:21
Power and Wisdom of God
1 Corinthians 1:24
Precious Corner Stone
Isaiah 28:16
Precious
1 Peter 2:7
Priest
Hebrews 5:10; 7:17
Prince
Daniel 9:25; Acts 5:31
Prince of Life
Acts 3:15
Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:6
Prince of the Kings of Earth
Revelation 1:5
Prophet
John 4:19; 7:40; Deuteronomy 18:18
Prophet of Nazareth
Matthew 21:11
Propitiation for Our Sins
1 John 2:2
Purifier of Silver
Malachi 3:3
Quickening Spirit
1 Corinthians 15:45
Rabbi; Son of God
John 1:49
Reconciler
2 Corinthians 5:19
Redeemer
Job 19:25; Isaiah 41:14; 54:5
Refiner
Malachi 3:3
Resurrection
John 11:25
Reward, Exceeding Great
Genesis 15:1
Rewarder
Hebrews 11:6
Righteous
1 John 2:1
Righteous Branch
Jeremiah 23:5
Righteous Man
Luke 23:47
Righteous Servant
Isaiah 53:11
Rock
Psalm 18:2; 28:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4
Rock of Offense
1 Peter 2:8
Root of David
Revelation 5:5; 22:16
Root of Jesse
Isaiah 11:10; Romans 15:12
Root Out of Dry Ground
Isaiah 53:2
Rose of Sharon
Song of Solomon 2:1
Salvation
Luke 2:30
Samaritan
John 8:48
Savior (Saviour, KJV) (29)
Luke 2:11; Acts 5:31
Savior (Saviour, KJV) of the World
John 4:42; 1 John 4:14
Scepter of Israel
Numbers 24:17
Second Man
1 Corinthians 15:47
Seed of the Woman
Genesis 3:14, 15
Servant
Isaiah 42:1; Philippians 2:7
Shadow from heat
Isaiah 25:4
Shepherd
Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25
Shield, Thy
Genesis 15:1
Shiloh (rest, tranquility)
Genesis 49:10
Son of David
Matthew 9:27
Son of God (48)
Mark 1:1
Son of the Highest
Luke 1:32
Son of Joseph
John 6:42
Son of Man
Matthew 9:6; Mark 14:62; John 6:27
Son of the Blessed
Mark 14:61
Son of the Living God
Matthew 16:16
Star Out of Jacob
Numbers 24:17
Stem of Jesse
Isaiah 11:1
Stone
Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42
Stone Cut Without Hands
Daniel 2:34, 35
Stone of Stumbling
1 Peter 2:8
Stranger in Jerusalem
Luke 24:18
Strength
Psalm 18:2
Stronghold (in the day of trouble)
Nahum 1:7
Sun of Righteousness
Malachi 4:2
Sure Foundation
Isaiah 28:16
Surety of a Better Testament
Hebrews 7:22
Teacher From God
John 3:2
Tender Plant
Isaiah 53:2
Testator
Hebrews 9:16, 17
The Child Jesus
Luke 2:27
The Christ (19)
Mark 14:61
The Lord’s Christ
Luke 2:26
The Man
John 19:5
The Man, Christ Jesus
1 Timothy 2:5
The Word
John 1:1; 1:14
Thine Husband
Isaiah 54:5
Thy Maker
Isaiah 54:5
Thy Seed
Galatians 3:16
Tree of life
Genesis 2:9
Tried Stone
Isaiah 28:16
True God and Eternal Life
1 John 5:20
True Vine
John 15:1
True Light
John 1:9
Truth
John 14:6
Vine
John 15:5
Voice
Genesis 3:8
Way
John 14:6
Way of Holiness
Isaiah 35:8
Wonderful
Isaiah 9:6
Young Child
Matthew 2:11
Your King
Isaiah 43:15

Stelman Smith and Judson Cornwall, The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names, 132-43 (North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos, 1998).

).

Exposed!

Genesis 3:10 (NIV) — 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Among the first things we learn as we acquaint ourselves with the pages of the Bible is the story of Adam and Eve. When interpreted strictly as a historical event the story is pretty straight forward and the rereading of it yields little new information.  When we interpret the story from the vantage point of what it tells us about the nature of human beings, God, and their relationships new insights are endless.  I’ve known the story for at least forty years and just last week a new insight surfaced for me.

I’m not exaggerating when I say there is nothing I find more satisfying than connecting with God through some focused time of prayer, study, meditation, spiritual reading, or some other exercise meant to foster an intimate encounter with Him.  Yet, it is so easy for me to neglect those activities allowing all sorts of endeavors to push them to side.  This has always been a mystery to me.  Why?  Why would I neglect to do that which is more satisfying, enthralling and helpful to me than anything else I do?

In the story of Adam and Eve God is pictured as looking for them in the garden, yet they are hiding from God because of their disobedience.  They are afraid.  The reason Adam gives for his fear is his nakedness.  They have failed God and realize they stand totally exposed before Him.  It may not be so much about a lack of clothing as it is about their realization of how they have failed God.  They stand exposed before God and themselves in their lack of being who they were created to be, so they hide. 

I think my own awareness of how I don’t measure up plays a role in why I sometimes avoid spending time with God.  Even though I know God loves and forgives me, there are corners of my heart and head that are not fully persuaded of this truth, so I try to hide in the bushes of busyness or neglect.  Knowing I am unworthy perhaps I am fearful to consciously be in His presence.  The only reason why this would be true for me or any of us is if we are trying to live life with God based on our own merits instead of on His.

None of us are worthy to be in the presence of God.  We have all sinned.  We have all gone our own way.  We can never enter or be in God’s presence or move forward in a life with Him based on the basis or our personal worthiness.  The only way any fellowship with God is possible is because He has made it so.  We are completely dependent upon His grace and mercy.  So if I am hiding from God because I am unworthy, then even though I know better I have to conclude there is still some dark shadow of self-righteous living in me.  The only way I can feel unworthy is by depending upon myself rather than depending upon God’s provision to make me worthy.  God is sufficient, but I am not.

Pride in who we are is a life-long enemy on the stage of life with God.  No matter how many times we strike it down it lurks in the shadows ever yearning for the spotlight.  The moment pride appears on the stage, it draws attention away from God and the plot of our lives begin to revolve around ourselves instead of God.  Self righteous pride will keep us from God, and it will keep God from manifesting His life in and through us.  Therefore it must be struck down daily in order to keep it from upstaging God’s life in us. Perhaps this is one reason why Paul said, "I die daily.” (I Corinthian 5.31)

Is my life with God lame?

I learned a new word this morning as I was reading Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest.  The word gave me new insight into both my life with God and the story of Jacob wrestling with God found in Genesis 32:22-30.

Chambers encourages us not to become “a hirpler in God’s ways.” (A hirpler is one who walks with a limp or a gait somewhere between walking and limping.)  Chambers says that we become such when we wrestle against God and implies this is precisely what happened with Jacob.  We must always be ready to wrestle against the things that keep us from God or to wrestle for people in prayer, but that is quite a different thing than wrestling against God.

It made we wonder.  Is my life with God lame?  Do I embrace Him fully and completely or only when it suits me?  If I only embrace Him when and how it suits me, then am I not wrestling against God, sometimes embracing Him and other times resisting Him?  Can I characterize my life with God as a confident walk or is it really just a notch above crawling?

The last thing I want to do is to cripple myself, or others, in my pursuit of God.  Today I am asking myself, “In what ways to a wrestle against God instead of wrestling for Him?”  If the answers to that question leads me into a more genuine, authentic walk with Him, then pondering the question was time well spent.

How Does Our Love of God Grow?

Does our love of God grow? Is it an either / or proposition as in we either love God or we don’t? Or are there predictable stages through which our love of God grows. I read an interesting summary this morning of Bernard of Clairvaux’s “four degrees of love.”[i] Bernard discusses how our love of God begins to take root and then deepens.

The First Degree of Love: Love of Self for Self’s Sake

All love comes from God, but human love is first focused on love of self. The desire to love one’s self is within all human beings. Initially every act is motivated by the benefit it brings to one’s self.

The Second Degree of Love: Love of God for Self’s Sake

At some point we suffer calamity or trouble of some sort. When we turn to God He helps us through these times. We find there is benefit in loving God because of what he is able to do for us and through us. Even though this is love of God, it is love for the sake of one’s self.

The Third Degree of Love: Love of God for God’s Sake

As we continue to go to God for the help he can be to us, his grace begins to soften our hearts. We come to love God for who he is. We are drawn “to the pure love of God more than our needs compel us to love him.” This only happens if we continually go to God with our needs and in prayer.

It is at this point that it becomes easier to fulfill God’s second greatest commandment, the love of others. Those that truly love God love what God loves. Knowing we are loved by God enables us to love others. It is this same knowledge that helps us fulfill all of God’s commands for we now understand them to truly be instructions issued out of his love for us.

The Fourth Degree of Love: Love of Self for God’s Sake

Such experiences are rare and momentary. If I understand Bernard’s correctly, these are those moments when we are so caught up in the bliss and wonder of being with God, we find the requirements of our mortal existence to be an intrusion. It is painful to return to our earthly requirements and responsibilities. It may not be possible to perfectly attain this level of love in this life, but when it does happen, “We are, for those moments, one mind and one spirit with God.” While the summary I read does not say it plainly, to return to our mortal state is to love ourselves as God created us for God’s sake.

How Does This Help Us?

I think being aware of these four degrees of love helps us evaluate where we are at any given moment in our love relationship with God. However, I think the best help it gives us as parents, small group leaders, pastors, and mentors is to understand that there is a developmental process that takes place in people as they become mature Christ followers. Knowing the degrees helps us understand ourselves and those we are mentoring in faith and life. The understanding will help us know how to coach ourselves and others.

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[i] Foster, Richard, and James Smith. Devotional Classics. HarperOne, 1993. Print.